When I see an article with the title, “I do X and this is how I work” I immediately click to read more. However, I’m hesitant to write this sort of post for myself. Why? I customize my tools until they’re almost unrecognizable or I use something that is incredibly boring. For years I thought […]
Solve
Remember to ask Why
It’s important to remember to ask the open-ended question “Why” when evaluating technology. Your answers will help determine the reasons for exploring specific solutions. A client recently asked about installing an add-on for their e-commerce site. They identified two solutions and asked for my expertise before they made a final decision. As I filled out […]
Summary of Recent Updates to WordPress
Over the past year there have been many changes to life … and WordPress. I know the details of each update haven’t been a priority. It can be overwhelming to go back and find out what changed, and next week version will see 5.7 released. To help, I’ve worked through the past year of releases […]
Exploring a New Playbook
On Wednesday, there was buzz about both how quickly the administration turned on new websites and the accessible features found on them. Today I want to look into one resource that likely helped guide this process from the USDS, the Digital Services Playbook. This guide builds on best practices from both government and private business. […]
zero budget website, intro to options
A client recently asked me for advice about a problem a nonprofit organization she volunteered with needed to solve. The free platform they had used to host their website for the past decade was being shut down. They didn’t have any budget; did they have any options? Would they need to register a domain name […]
What do you need to solve?
I understand the allure of wanting a new magical tool when times aren’t great. A new thing can often help begin a new habit, but is it really solving the actual need? Let’s look at the worksheets I’m slowly writing. Could new software and tech help me to do it faster? That’s what marketing would […]
Book Review Roundup: Accessibility, Usability, and Experience
I read voraciously on a wide range of topics. I like to search out books that help me enhance my knowledge, as well as titles that are useful for my clients. Over the past few months, I’ve focused on accessibility, usability, and experience. I’ve looked to gain a better understanding as to the definition of […]
Exploring 3 Aspects of a Good Link
Links are what make the web what it is. This humble connector of pages within a site and to the vast internet beyond have completely changed the world as we once knew it. They are simple to create and yet it is challenging to make a good link. Why & What makes a good link? […]
some thoughts on inclusive design
From time to time I’ve brought up the topic of accessibility — for example how a well designed webpage will be more accessible to humans and easier to search by computers. Several recent events have nudged this topic from one I merely mention to clients as something to think about to one I am actively […]
book review: digital minimalism
Note: This post first appeared in the penat.work notebook. I’m in Cleveland, Ohio for The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA) Summer Show. Come see PennyWise Consulting at booth 642 on Sunday. I am a longtime proponent of being thoughtful and intentional with the technology I use every day. I’ve shut off notifications for years. Over the […]